AD_MAGAZINE_350

19 AutoData | November 2018 The price table also shows different objectives: if Renegade had a reduction of up to R$ 8 thousand in the entry version, Honda increased the values of the four HR-V versions by up to R$ 3 thousand. These changes in pricing are more related to the arrival of new competi- tors than to the inclusion or removal of equipment in both vehicles. According to FCA’s commercial director Tania Silvestri, “Renegade’s entry version price reduction will serve customers whowish to enter the SUV segment but are currently looking for options in hatches and sedans.” The new prices, he estimates, could increase the entry-level share of the cur- rent 25% of the product’s sales mix to so- mething above 40%: “The competition in the segment is very hard and tends to get Disclousure/FCA even harder from next year. By bringing new customers to Renegade we design a strategy to keep them in the brand even after a few years”. Regarding Honda, the brand is well aware of its customer profile and the attri- butes valued of HR-V. For the company, its compact SUV has become more “refined” on the 2019 line, which justifies the price raise. Pedro Rezende, general manager of communication, claims: “It is the best- -selling Honda in Brazil, with values that have consolidated its success in the ma- rket and are a reference for the customer”. The company, however, does not reve- al its sales ambition, but the limitation of its factory total production in Brazil to 125 thousand units/year shows that there is no room for significant growth in volume. Lower prices here... The restyling of the Jeep model followed the rule: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The front design was subtly altered, particularly the grille, with the Jeep’s traditional seven vertical slots placed slightly lower. The Limited and Trailhawk versions have won LED headlamps that boost the lighting range by 50% according to the company. And all versions have gained front bumpers with greater approach angle and new- designed aluminum wheels of 17, 18 or 19 inches. On the inside, slight console and panel renovation: the greatest novelty is the 8.4-inch touch screen multimedia in the Longitude, Limited and Trailhawk versions, compatible with Apple and Android smartphones. The Sports version (the entry-level model) received a simpler multimedia system with a 5-inch screen. Renegade’s trunk has been resized and gained extra 47 liters, total of 320 now. The trunk lid has also received discreet modifications to ease its opening. The engines remain the same. The 4x2 Sport, Longitude and Limited versions are still equipped with the 1.8 flex of 139 hp with manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The 2.0-liter 170 hp engine powered by diesel with nine-speed automatic transmission is available in the 4x4 Longitude and Trailhawk versions. Sport 1.8 Flex MT5 R$ 78,5 thousand, reduction of R$ 7 thousand Sport 1.8 Flex AT6 R$ 84 thousand, reduction of R$ 8 thousand Longitude 1.8 Flex AT6 R$ 97 thousand, same price of 2018 version Limited 1.8 Flex AT6 R$ 103,5 thousand Longitude 2.0 Diesel AT9 4x4 R$ 125,5 thousand Trailhawk 2.0 Diesel AT9 4x4 R$ 136,4 thousand